Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Jack Gantos (author)

Corgi Yearling Books, USA: 1998; 188pp

ISBN: 044086433X

Genre: realistic fiction

Issues: ADHD, assumptions, differences, disability, family, identity, self-esteem, special needs 

Although written more to educate than amuse, this is still a novel worth reading. Joey Pigza has ADHD. His teacher's say he's 'wired', an American slang term for crazy, zany, weird and over-the-top.

 When he is a toddler, Joey's father takes off and his mother follows, leaving him to be brought up by his nutty grandmother, who not only has some very strange ideas about child-raising but has more than a few problems of her own. There is nobody to help Joey get control of his whirlwind mind. He knows what ‘good kids' do and he knows that he is a good kid - inside. It's just that somehow messages get muddled in his brain and the sensible thing he intends to do turns into something out of control and dangerous.

When his mother comes home and his grandmother leaves, it seems as if Joey might have a chance. He is diagnosed with ADHD and given some medication. The problem is that the medication only works some days - or for part of the day. He bounces around the house, spins wildly down the school corridors like a top, sharpens his own finger in the electric pencil sharpener and swallows his house key.

As his behaviour becomes more and more dangerous - however unintentionally - it seems that Joey is going to be lost through gaps in the system, shut forever into the 'Special Education' room with other children who struggle to control their problems. Will someone please help Joey? All he wants to do is go back to normal school and feel better about himself, to feel safe, to know that he can trust himself to not only think about doing the right thing but to actually do it.

Most children will find Joey's antics and adventures very funny but sensitive readers and adults will be moved by the terrible struggle the child must go through in order to be able trust himself and be trusted by others. Thought-provoking and heart-wrenching, this author captures the sense of helplessness experienced by children and carers trying to cope with this particular problem.

Sequel: Joey Pigza Loses Control